The seven men and two women, ranging in age from 16 to 23, are the survivors from a class of 41 students who began the course work in February.

Ocean Rescue Supervisor Mike Lerian said the training is rigorous and about 25 to 40 percent of those who begin usually voluntarily drop out.

'It's a matter of willingness to go through 12 weeks of academic training,' Lerian said.

The lifesaving corps holds graduations twice a year, in April and in July, to welcome the new recruits.

The training consists of first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, surf training, ocean rescue training and the history of the United States Lifesaving Association and American Red Cross Volunteer Lifesaving Corps.

On Saturday, the last day of training for the recruits, the group went through the final tests before they could become lifeguards. They took written tests on CPR, first aid, radio signals, operating procedures and lifeguard training. They also took physical tests in lifesaving skills and had to complete a one-mile run in under eight minutes and a 500-meter swim in under 10 minutes.

'The day of final exams test the recruits' academic and physical prowess and the knowledge they've learned in the past 12 weeks,' said Rick Wood, spokesman for the lifesaving corps.

The corps held a formal graduation Saturday afternoon to welcome the nine recruits, who received uniforms, certificates and the rank of recruit surfman, which they'll hold for the next year. Staff writer Christopher F. Aguilar can be reached at 249-4947, extension 19, or via e-mail at caguilar@jacksonville.com.